Washingtonville girls move to state soccer final

Sunday

Nov 18, 2012 at 2:00 AM

HOMER — Despite being a team with tremendous offensive prowess, Washingtonville coach Jen Czumak knew the only way her soccer team was only going to win Saturday's state Class AA semifinal was with a perfect defensive outing.

Ken McMillan

HOMER — Despite being a team with tremendous offensive prowess, Washingtonville coach Jen Czumak knew the only way her soccer team was only going to win Saturday's state Class AA semifinal was with a perfect defensive outing.

That's exactly what the Wizards delivered. Amanda Vojta supported a stellar defensive unit with 11 saves, including nine in the second half, and Meghan Haslett delivered the biggest goal of her life on Washingtonville's only shot on net as the top-ranked Wizards topped Suffolk County champion Northport, 1-0, to advance to Sunday's championship game.

Washingtonville will take on Section 5's Webster Thomas in the 2 p.m. match at SUNY Cortland's White field. Webster Thomas battled Section 2's Guilderland through 110 scoreless minutes before prevailing, 4-1, in a penalty-kick shootout. It is Washingtonville's second appearance in a state final — the Wizards lost to Pittsford-Mendon, 2-0, in the 1984 Class B final.

"Just one more time,'' said Kelsey Davis, knowing a finals win would secure a perfect 20-0 season.

"Wow, I can say that I pictured us being here,'' said Alanna O'Neill. "I am not surprised. I knew we had the potential. The fact I can say we're in the state championship is amazing. I am so excited to play.''

Northport carried most of the play to Washingtonville, but it was all part of a master plan, Czumak said. The Wizards kept close tabs on top Northport threats Ashlee Burke and Cortney Fortunato, funneling them to their non-preferred right side of the field. Czumak prepared to make an alignment change in the second half to create some offense, but that notion was made moot with an early goal.

O'Neill started the play with a long direct kick serve deep in the Northport defensive zone. Kelsey Davis received the ball, heard a call from Haslett on her right and headed a pass in her direction.

The scouting report mentioned Haslett could break free from her defensive assignment, Natasha Albaneze, and that's exactly what happened. Northport goalkeeper Jessica Rom appeared to hesitate on her rush out to defend, giving Haslett plenty of time to slip the ball into the open left side of the net with 26:32 left in the opening half for her tenth goal of the season.

"Kelsey did a really good job getting a head on it,'' Haslett said. "I saw her (Rom) hesitate coming toward me. I didn't know if she was going to come out at me so I just wanted to get the shot off quickly.''

Washingtonville did not settle into a defensive posture, although it appeared that way as Northport carried the offense to the Wizards throughout the second half — in fact, Washingtonville did not possess the ball over midfield until the clock slipped under six minutes.

"Although they spent so much time in our defensive end, all the key matchups were made,'' Czumak said. "All five defensive players had a role in this game, and it was a specific role. We would not win if they didn't do it, and all five came through.''

"They (Northport) have a lot of great players,'' O'Neill said. "They were attacking constantly. We had to stay mentally into it. As long as you are into it mentally, and not only physically, we can pull out a win.''

"It was really hard,'' said defender Nia Brown. "You have to keep your cool the whole time and just work your hardest.''

Burke said her Northport team was confident it would win the state title and they were shocked at being shut out. It was Washingtonville's 12 shutout of the season, and third victory by one goal (a fourth came via shootout).

"They were good,'' Burke said of Washingtonville. "They're a good team. They wouldn't be here if they weren't good. It was probably the way their backline worked. They all worked hard and they all worked together. We just couldn't pull through.''